60 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMITTEE 



Estimating the stumpage value of Nos. 1 and 3 at $5 per M bd. ft. and Nos. 4 

 and 5, in which the timber is larger, at $7 per M bd. ft., the following table 

 shows the financial value of the standing trees per acre : 



No. Value of stumpage per acre. 



1 $61.40 



2 115.00 



3 75.26 



4 292.04 



5 422.52 



Although conditions are especially favorable for private commercial planting 

 in the Northeastern United States, its progress if judged by area is relatively 

 slow. Probably more interest exists in forest planting within this region than in 

 any other of the natural forest regions of the United States. 



LAKE STATES 



THIS part of the northern forest region is level to hilly in topography and 

 occupies the greater part of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Broadly 

 the forest types are swamp, pine and hardwood, respectively. The swamp 

 type varies in composition and character, but includes among its principal species 

 spruce, cedar and tamarack. The composition of such swamp types may be one 

 of these only, as tamarack swamps, or it may be spruce and tamarack, or cedar. 

 Within this type, which occupies moist and wet lands, there is no field 

 for commercial forest planting. Growth is very slow. 



The pine type occupies sandy loams and sand soils. The principal species in 

 the pineries are white pine and red (Norway) pine. On the poorer soils the red 

 pine and Jack pine are the chief trees. Most extensive areas in need of reforesta- 

 tion are to be found in this type. The rate of growth is medium. In Michigan, 

 on the higher, more northern lands and on pure sands, it is slower. 



The hardwood type occupies good soils, generally agricultural in character, 

 excepting rocky hills. Pine originally formed a small per cent of the forest, and 

 is still found in mixture. Hemlock also occurred in this type in portions of the 

 Lake States. The chief hardwoods are yellow birch, beech, sugar maple, white 

 ash and basswood. Forest planting on this type occupies a minor position and 

 will probably always be of less importance than the planting of pine lands. Its 

 place will be somewhat similar to that which it has in the northern hardwood 

 region of the Northeastern United States. The same species will be useful for 

 reforestation. 



Ownership of land is generally private, reforestation lands in the Lake States 

 being held in areas of considerable size by lumber companies, by development 

 companies and by individuals. An active State forest policy is in effect in Wis- 

 consin and Minnesota by which non-agricultural cut-over lands are being acquired 

 for eventual reforestation. There is also commendable State activity in Michigan. 

 Tlje Federal Forest Service has begun planting on national forests in both 

 Minnesota and Michigan. The States are at present just entering upon this work. 



